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Washington Accuses Venezuelan Leader of Drug Trafficking and Terrorism, Elevating International Hunt to Highest Level in Recent History.
The US Increases Reward for Capture of Maduro to R$ 272 Million, Higher than Bin Laden’s, in an Unprecedented Escalation of Pressure Against the President of Venezuela. The amount was announced this Thursday (7) by the Department of Justice, which accuses Nicolás Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking scheme and collaborating with criminal organizations classified as terrorists by Washington.
According to Estadão, the amount surpasses the reward offered for information on Osama Bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 attacks, placing Maduro at the top of the US wanted list. The American government claims it has already confiscated 30 tons of cocaine linked to the chavista regime, in addition to almost seven tons directly associated with the Venezuelan leader.
Serious Accusations and Links to Cartels
The US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, stated that Maduro uses organizations like Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Cartel de los Soles to send lethal drugs to American territory. According to her, some of the cocaine would be mixed with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of deaths in the US.
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The Department of Justice also reported that over US$ 700 million in assets linked to Maduro have already been seized, including two private jets, nine vehicles, and other high-value goods. “Under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice and will answer for his atrocious crimes,” Bondi stated.
Response from Caracas
The Venezuelan chancellor, Yván Gil, labeled the reward as a “ridiculous smoke screen” and accused Washington of using the measure as a political distraction. “The dignity of our homeland is not for sale,” he stated in a message on Telegram.
Despite the rhetoric, the US has maintained a long-standing posture of non-recognition of Maduro’s government, declaring the opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president, who claims to have won the 2024 elections — a result not recognized by chavismo.
History of International Pursuit
Washington had previously offered US$ 15 million for Maduro’s capture in 2020, during Trump’s administration, under accusations of “narcoterrorism.” The amount was doubled to US$ 25 million during Joe Biden’s management and now reaches a record high of US$ 50 million.
The last time the US formally accused a foreign head of state of crimes of this level was in 1988, against Panama’s president, Manuel Noriega — a case that culminated in the American invasion of the country and his arrest.
And you? Do you believe this historic reward will lead to Maduro’s capture or will it be another chapter in the political dispute between the US and Venezuela? Leave your opinion in the comments — we want to hear from those closely following this scenario.
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